Volute

ABSTRACT

A volute, including: an intake passage, a diffuser channel, an air inlet communicating with the intake passage, an air outlet communicating with the diffuser channel, a left pneumatic baffle, a right pneumatic baffle, and intake regulating devices. The left pneumatic baffle and the right pneumatic baffle are disposed in the intake passage to divide the intake passage into a left outer passage, an inner passage, and a right outer passage. The intake regulating devices are disposed in the left outer passage and in the right outer passage, in the proximity of the air inlet.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation-in-part of International Patent Application No. PCT/CN2012/000429 with an international filing date of Mar. 31, 2012, designating the United States, now pending, and further claims priority benefits to Chinese Patent Application No. 201210006737.5 filed Jan. 11, 2012. The contents of all of the aforementioned applications, including any intervening amendments thereto, are incorporated herein by reference. Inquiries from the public to applicants or assignees concerning this document or the related applications should be directed to: Matthias Scholl P.C., Attn.: Dr. Matthias Scholl Esq., 245 First Street, 18th Floor, Cambridge, Mass. 02142.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The invention relates to a volute comprising partitioned air channels and guide wanes for meeting the air consumption of a motor under different working conditions.

2. Description of the Related Art

In recent years, with increasingly stringent emission standards, demand for turbochargers adapting to assist a motor to work at different working conditions is urgent. Variable area turbochargers, which can effectively control the discharge pressure of the motor thereby enabling the motor to achieve good performance in various working conditions, have become a research focus. However, in practice, a motor equipped with the turbocharger has a large negative pressure difference between introduced air and exhaust air, which results in high pumping loss and high fuel consumption under a low-speed working condition. Additionally, under high-speed working conditions, the supercharging ratio is very limited.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In view of the above-described problems, it is one objective of the invention to provide a volute which can effectively solve the supercharging delay of a motor under low-speed working conditions, increase the supercharging ratio under high-speed working conditions, and meet the supercharging requirement under different working conditions.

To achieve the above objective, in accordance with one embodiment of the invention, there is provided a volute, comprising: an intake passage, a diffuser channel, an air inlet communicating with the intake passage, an air outlet communicating with the diffuser channel, a left pneumatic baffle, a right pneumatic baffle, and intake regulating devices. The left pneumatic baffle and the right pneumatic baffle are disposed in the intake passage to divide the intake passage into a left outer passage, an inner passage, and a right outer passage. The intake regulating devices are disposed in the left outer passage and in the right outer passage, in the proximity of the air inlet.

In a class of this embodiment, the intake regulating devices comprise an intake regulating valve which is connected to an actuator in a transmission way; under a low-speed working condition, the intake regulating valves are closed, both the left outer passage and the right outer passage are in an inactive state, and only the inner passage is in an active state; under a medium-speed working condition, the intake regulating valve disposed in the left outer passage is closed, the left outer passage is in an inactive state, and the right outer passage and the inner passage are in an active state; under a high-speed working condition, the intake regulating valves are open, the left outer passage, the right outer passage, and the inner passage are all in an active state.

In a class of this embodiment, an air inlet of the inner passage communicates with the air inlet of the volute, and air inlets of the left outer passage and of the right outer passage both communicate with the air inlet of the inner passage.

In a class of this embodiment, the left outer passage and the right outer passage are disposed side-by-side at two sides of the inner passage, respectively.

In a class of this embodiment, the left outer passage and the right outer passage are disposed at two sides of the inner passage, respectively, a cross section of the left outer passage is an arc, and the arc extends outwards to an outer side of the inner passage.

In a class of this embodiment, a sectional area of the left outer passage is larger than that of the right outer passage.

In a class of this embodiment, a sum of the sectional area of the left outer passage and the right outer passage is between 0.3 and 1.1 times the sectional area of the inner passage.

In a class of this embodiment, non-blade nozzles are disposed in the left outer passage, the right outer passage, and the inner passage in the proximity of the diffuser channel.

In a class of this embodiment, a plurality of airfoil pneumatic guide vanes are annularly and evenly disposed in the left outer passage in the proximity of the non-blade nozzle.

In a class of this embodiment, one end of the guide vanes is integrated with an inner wall of the left outer passage by casting, and the other end of the guide vanes is integrated with an inner wall of the left pneumatic baffle in the left outer passage by casting.

In a class of this embodiment, a left control chamber is disposed between the left outer passage and the air inlet of the left outer passage, and a right control chamber is disposed between the right outer passage and the air inlet of the right outer passage.

In a class of this embodiment, the intake regulating valve disposed in the proximity of the air inlet of the left outer passage is in the left control chamber, and the intake regulating valve disposed in the proximity of the air inlet of the right outer passage is in the right control chamber.

In a class of this embodiment, the left control chamber and the right left control chamber each comprises an upper end cover for sealing inlet air and limiting the intake regulating valve.

In this invention, the inner passage of the intake passage is normally open, while the left outer passage and the right passage of the intake passage is in an active or inactive state under the control of the actuator of the intake regulating valve.

Advantages according to embodiments of the invention are summarized as follows. The volute is an improved product based on the existing volute, and has a simple structure, good compatibility, and low cost, which is conducive to the industrialization. The involved intake regulating device is easy for control, and has a simple structure and high reliability.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention is described hereinbelow with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a cross section view of a volute according to Example 1 of the invention;

FIG. 2 is a cross section view of an air channel of a volute having an inlet angle of between 0 and 180° according to Example 1 of the invention;

FIG. 3 is a cross section view of a volute according to Example 2 of the invention;

FIG. 4 is a cross section view of an air channel of a volute having an inlet angle of between 0 and 180° according to Example 2 of the invention;

FIG. 5 is a cross section view of a volute under a low-speed working condition according to Example 2 of the invention;

FIG. 6 is a cross section view of a volute under a medium-speed working condition according to Example 2 of the invention; and

FIG. 7 is a cross section view of a volute under a high-speed working condition according to Example 2 of the invention.

In the drawings, the following reference numbers are used: 1. Volute of turbine; 2. Air inlet; 3. Air outlet; 4. Diffuser channel; 5. Left pneumatic baffle; 6. Right pneumatic baffle; 7. Left outer passage; 8. Inner passage; 9. Right outer passage; 10. Intake regulating valve; 11. Left control chamber; 12. Right control chamber; 13. Matching surface of regulating valve; 14. Upper end cover; 15. Non-blade nozzle; 16. Guide vane; 17. Inner wall of left outer passage.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

For further illustrating the invention, experiments detailing a volute of a turbine are described below. It should be noted that the following examples are intended to describe and not to limit the invention.

Example 1

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, a volute 1 comprises: an intake passage, a diffuser channel 4, an air inlet 2 communicating with the intake passage, an air outlet 3 communicating with the diffuser channel 4, a left pneumatic baffle 5, a right pneumatic baffle 6, and intake regulating devices. The left pneumatic baffle 5 and the right pneumatic baffle 6 are disposed in the intake passage to divide the intake passage into a left outer passage 7, an inner passage 8, and a right outer passage 9. The intake regulating devices are disposed in the left outer passage 7 and in the right outer passage 9, in the proximity of the air inlet 2.

The intake regulating devices comprise an intake regulating valve 10 which is connected to an actuator in a transmission way.

Under a low-speed working condition, the intake regulating valves 10 are closed, both the left outer passage 7 and the right outer passage 9 are in an inactive state, and only the inner passage 8 is in an active state.

Under a medium-speed working condition, the intake regulating valve disposed in the left outer passage 7 is closed, the left outer passage 7 is in an inactive state, and the right outer passage 9 and the inner passage 8 are in an active state.

Under a high-speed working condition, the intake regulating valves 10 are open, the left outer passage 7, the right outer passage 9, and the inner passage 8 are all in an active state.

The left pneumatic baffle 5 and the right pneumatic baffle 6 are integrated with the casing of the volute 1 by casting.

The air inlet 2 of the volute is single in number. An air inlet of the inner passage 8 communicates with the air inlet of the volute, and air inlets of the left outer passage 7 and of the right outer passage 9 both communicate with the air inlet of the inner passage 8.

A sectional area of the left outer passage 7 is larger than that of the right outer passage 9.

To satisfy the design requirement of area/radius (A/R) of the sectional area of the flow channel, a sum of the sectional area of the left outer passage 7 and the right outer passage 9 is between 0.3 and 1.1 times the sectional area of the inner passage.

The left outer passage 7 and the right outer passage 9 are disposed at two sides of the inner passage 8, respectively, a cross section of the left outer passage 7 is an arc, and the arc extends outwards to an outer side of the inner passage 8.

Non-blade nozzles 15 are disposed in the left outer passage 7, the right outer passage 9, and the inner passage 8 in the proximity of the diffuser channel 4.

As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, when the motor is under high-speed working condition, to make full use of the exhaust energy, and ensure the air flow in the left outer passage of the volute to enter the vane wheel of the turbine at an appropriate angle, thereby improving the intake efficiency, a plurality of airfoil pneumatic guide vanes 16 are annularly and evenly disposed in the left outer passage 7 in the proximity of the non-blade nozzle 15.

One end of the guide vanes 16 is integrated with an inner wall 17 of the left outer passage by casting, and the other end of the guide vanes is integrated with an inner wall of the left pneumatic baffle 5 in the left outer passage 7 by casting.

A left control chamber 11 is disposed between the left outer passage 7 and the air inlet of the left outer passage 7, and a right control chamber 12 is disposed between the right outer passage 9 and the air inlet of the right outer passage 9.

The intake regulating valve 10 disposed in the proximity of the air inlet of the left outer passage 7 is in the left control chamber 11, and the intake regulating valve 10 disposed in the proximity of the air inlet of the right outer passage 9 is in the right control chamber 12.

The intake regulating valves 10 comprise corresponding matching surfaces 13 in the proximity of the air inlet of the left outer passage 7 and in the proximity of the air inlet of the right outer passage 9, thereby sealing the intake regulating valve.

The left control chamber 11 and the right left control chamber 12 each comprises an upper end cover 14 for sealing inlet air and limiting the intake regulating valve.

Example 2

As shown in FIG. 4, the left outer passage 7 and the right outer passage 9 are disposed side-by-side at two sides of the inner passage, respectively.

As shown in FIG. 5, when the motor runs in a low-speed working condition, under the control of the actuator, the intake regulating valves 10 are in an inactive state, that is to say, both the left outer passage 7 and the right outer passage 9 of the volute are closed. Thus, all exhaust gas from the motor only flows into the inner passage 8. The inner passage 8 has a relatively small sectional area, which facilitates to accelerate the intake speed of the air flowing into the impeller of the turbine. Therefore, the effective energy of the exhaust gas is fully utilized, the output power of the turbine under low-speed working condition is greatly increased, the boost pressure is enhanced, all of which improves the performance of the motor under low-speed working condition and reduces the emissions, improves the booster response of the motor, and reduces unfavorable influence resulting from the supercharging delay.

As shown in FIG. 6, when the motor runs in a medium-speed working condition, the intake regulating valve 10 in the left outer passage is in an inactive state, that is to say, the left outer passage 7 is out of work. However, the intake regulating valve 10 in the right outer passage is in an active state under the control of the actuator, that is to say, the right outer passage 9 is open. Thus, both the inner passage 8 and the right outer passage 9 of the volute are open, the sectional area of the air intake channel is increased, and the air intake amount of the turbine can meet the air consumption under the medium-speed working condition. Therefore, the effective energy of the exhaust gas is fully utilized, thereby satisfying the pressure requirement of the motor under medium-speed working condition.

As shown in FIG. 7, when the motor runs in a high-speed working condition, the two intake regulating valves 10 are in an active state under the control of the actuator, that is to say, both the left outer passage 7 and the right outer passage 9 are open, so that the inner passage 8, the left outer passage 7, and the right outer passage 9 are all open. The high-speed exhaust gas from the motor flows into the inner passage 8, the left outer passage 7, and the right outer passage 9. Additionally, the guide vanes 16 disposed in the proximity of the non-blade nozzle 15 in the left outer passage 7 can effectively guide the airflow to enter the impeller of the turbine in an appropriate angle, thereby improving the intake efficiency.

In examples of the invention, the inner passage of the intake passage is normally open, while the left outer passage and the right passage of the intake passage is in an active or inactive state under the control of the actuator of the intake regulating valve. Through regulating the sectional area of the intake channel, the air amount in the intake channel of the turbine is altered, thereby achieving the function of a variable cross-section turbine, and meeting the requirement for boost pressure of the motor under full working conditions. The volute is an improved product based on the existing volute, and has a simple structure and good compatibility, which is conducive to the industrialization.

While particular embodiments of the invention have been shown and described, it will be obvious to those skilled in the art that changes and modifications may be made without departing from the invention in its broader aspects, and therefore, the aim in the appended claims is to cover all such changes and modifications as fall within the true spirit and scope of the invention. 

The invention claimed is:
 1. A volute, comprising: a) an intake passage; b) a diffuser channel; c) an air inlet, the air inlet communicating with the intake passage; d) an air outlet, the air outlet communicating with the diffuser channel; e) a left pneumatic baffle; f) a right pneumatic baffle; and g) intake regulating devices; wherein the left pneumatic baffle and the right pneumatic baffle are disposed in the intake passage to divide the intake passage into a left outer passage, an inner passage, and a right outer passage; and the intake regulating devices are disposed in the left outer passage and in the right outer passage, in the proximity of the air inlet.
 2. The volute of claim 1, wherein the intake regulating devices comprise an intake regulating valve connected to an actuator in a transmission way; under a low-speed working condition, the intake regulating valves are closed, both the left outer passage and the right outer passage are in an inactive state, and only the inner passage is in an active state; under a medium-speed working condition, the intake regulating valve disposed in the left outer passage is closed, the left outer passage is in an inactive state, and the right outer passage and the inner passage are in an active state; and under a high-speed working condition, the intake regulating valves are open, the left outer passage, the right outer passage, and the inner passage are all in an active state.
 3. The volute of claim 2, wherein an air inlet of the inner passage communicates with the air inlet of the volute, and air inlets of the left outer passage and of the right outer passage both communicate with the air inlet of the inner passage.
 4. The volute of claim 3, wherein the left outer passage and the right outer passage are disposed side-by-side at two sides of the inner passage, respectively.
 5. The volute of claim 3, wherein the left outer passage and the right outer passage are disposed at two sides of the inner passage, respectively; a cross section of the left outer passage is an arc, and the arc extends outwards to an outer side of the inner passage.
 6. The volute of claim 4, wherein a sectional area of the left outer passage is larger than that of the right outer passage.
 7. The volute of claim 5, wherein a sectional area of the left outer passage is larger than that of the right outer passage.
 8. The volute of claim 6, wherein a sum of the sectional area of the left outer passage and the sectional area of the right outer passage is between 0.3 and 1.1 times the sectional area of the inner passage.
 9. The volute of claim 7, wherein a sum of the sectional area of the left outer passage and the sectional area of the right outer passage is between 0.3 and 1.1 times the sectional area of the inner passage.
 10. The volute of claim 8, wherein non-blade nozzles are disposed in the left outer passage, the right outer passage, and the inner passage in the proximity of the diffuser channel.
 11. The volute of claim 9, wherein non-blade nozzles are disposed in the left outer passage, the right outer passage, and the inner passage in the proximity of the diffuser channel.
 12. The volute of claim 10, wherein a plurality of airfoil pneumatic guide vanes are annularly and evenly disposed in the left outer passage in the proximity of the non-blade nozzle.
 13. The volute of claim 11, wherein a plurality of airfoil pneumatic guide vanes are annularly and evenly disposed in the left outer passage in the proximity of the non-blade nozzle.
 14. The volute of claim 12, wherein one end of the guide vanes is integrated with an inner wall of the left outer passage by casting, and the other end of the guide vanes is integrated with an inner wall of the left pneumatic baffle in the left outer passage by casting.
 15. The volute of claim 13, wherein one end of the guide vanes is integrated with an inner wall of the left outer passage by casting, and the other end of the guide vanes is integrated with an inner wall of the left pneumatic baffle in the left outer passage by casting.
 16. The volute of claim 14, wherein a left control chamber is disposed between the left outer passage and the air inlet of the left outer passage, and a right control chamber is disposed between the right outer passage and the air inlet of the right outer passage.
 17. The volute of claim 15, wherein a left control chamber is disposed between the left outer passage and the air inlet of the left outer passage, and a right control chamber is disposed between the right outer passage and the air inlet of the right outer passage.
 18. The volute of claim 16, wherein the intake regulating valve disposed in the proximity of the air inlet of the left outer passage is in the left control chamber, and the intake regulating valve disposed in the proximity of the air inlet of the right outer passage is in the right control chamber.
 19. The volute of claim 17, wherein the intake regulating valve disposed in the proximity of the air inlet of the left outer passage is in the left control chamber, and the intake regulating valve disposed in the proximity of the air inlet of the right outer passage is in the right control chamber.
 20. The volute of claim 19, wherein the left control chamber and the right left control chamber each comprises an upper end cover for sealing introduced air and limiting the intake regulating valve. 